Leaves pictures; Healthiness?

[sciguy1872]

Hi. I was wondering how healthy the tree looks to you all-- the light-green leaves seem to be all smaller and younger leaves that will darken like the other leaves, at least that is what I'm thinking. Since you all have more experience and can tell the health status by seeing the color of the leaves, I was wondering what this bonsai's health appears to be? Thanks.

 

[KateM]

Looks healthy. Young leaves, especially inside in winter, are always light in color.
Might need a bit of supplemental light.
And since it's actively growing you can give it some fertilizer.

 

[sciguy1872]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Shibui]

What is your fertiliser program and how much light does this Ficus receive. Have previous new leaves begun yellow and changed to green? How long have you had the tree?
I would consider leaves that yellow to be deficient in something light or nutrient or possible root problems so worth checking the above.

 

[sciguy1872]

Hi. The fertilizer is Professional Bonsai Fertilizer 3-1-2. At full strength, 1tsp per 4 cups water, but since it's Winter, I mix half teaspoon of fertilizer with 4 cups water.
The grow lights are bought from Amazon and are on a 12- hour cycle. I've had the tree since March 2024--I repotted in April, using Superthrive. In Spring, I'm thinking of just using plain Miracle Grow-- people have mentioned that.
I think the tree does kind of have a history of younger leaves being yellow, then later turning green.
I've covered the top of the soil with Akadama, since it will weigh the soil down and it looks nice--I just don't want the top layer to absorb water meant for the lower soil; I watch the amount of water draining through pot and into drop tray, so I think it's okay

 

[sciguy1872]

The grow lights are brighter in person.

 

[Jetson1950]

House plants have darker leaves than outdoor plants because they load up with chlorophyll to compensate for the reduced light level. The plant will not do that with the new leaves until they are hardened enough to handle the light and ensuing energy level. As the new leaves get stronger they absorb more chlorophyll and turn darker green. If you give them too much light before they are ready they will reject the chlorophyll because they can’t handle the increased energy level yet. This may cause them to stay yellow and possibly die. Same thing happens with ocean corals and their Zooxanthella which do the same for them as chlorophyll does for plants. The older leaves look very heathy so you might consider the new leaves may be getting too much light.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Seems like my ficus indoors in winter tend to do same thing. Mostly looks healthy but notice this especially on younger (rooted cuttings). Once outside they thrive and look great so my thought is lighting inside even though I have Similar light as you do.

 

[Potawatomi13]

House plants have darker leaves than outdoor plants because they load up with chlorophyll to compensate for the reduced light level. The plant will not do that with the new leaves until they are hardened enough to handle the light and ensuing energy level. As the new leaves get stronger they absorb more chlorophyll and turn darker green. If you give them too much light before they are ready they will reject the chlorophyll because they can’t handle the increased energy level yet. This may cause them to stay yellow and possibly die. Same thing happens with ocean corals and their Zooxanthella which do the same for them as chlorophyll does for plants. The older leaves look very heathy so you might consider the new leaves may be getting too much light.

Part of this is nonsensical. When my citrus are outside in full Sun and new leaves grow they do not get too much light and turn yellow. Indeed the dark green leaves that grew inside in Winter are dark and hardened off but still sunburn and many die with exposed to the Sun in the Spring. It is agreed that many or most leaves do grow in lighter whether indoors or outdoors.

 

[Shibui]

Hi. The fertilizer is Professional Bonsai Fertilizer 3-1-2. At full strength, 1tsp per 4 cups water, but since it's Winter, I mix half teaspoon of fertilizer with 4 cups water.
The grow lights are bought from Amazon and are on a 12- hour cycle. I've had the tree since March 2024--I repotted in April, using Superthrive. In Spring, I'm thinking of just using plain Miracle Grow-- people have mentioned that.
I think the tree does kind of have a history of younger leaves being yellow, then later turning green.

Sounds like you are providing everything your Ficus needs. Just keep watch and update as the new leaves turn green or if they stay yellow.

 

[Jetson1950]

Part of this is nonsensical. When my citrus are outside in full Sun and new leaves grow they do not get too much light and turn yellow. Indeed the dark green leaves that grew inside in Winter are dark and hardened off but still sunburn and many die with exposed to the Sun in the Spring. It is agreed that many or most leaves do grow in lighter whether indoors or outdoors.

Very true. I was only describing one possibility. If for whatever reason the tree/plant decides to stop supporting a leaf, it will remove the chlorophyll from it. That will cause the change in color.